Safe from Scams: PayPal scam
Warning signs before sharing your credit card information online.
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Lauren decided to sell her Mac Book for $800 dollars on-line to get some extra cash. "I got a call from a random guy. He could barely speak English... telling me he was going to give me $950.00 for it," said Lauren Seaman, fraud victim.
She was thrilled. He explained she would need to open a PayPal account because he lived out of the country. "He was like, 'Now you need to send it to me, and I'm like, where is my money' so he says he sent it to my account."
"I went on PayPal it said - I didn't even think to call Customer Service or anything, so I went on there and it said plus $950," said Lauren.
Lauren headed to the post office, where the clerk questioned its destination -- Nigeria.
She left with a sinking feeling. "Something is not right here. That guy didn't have to say this -- just the tone of his voice, the attitude he was giving me."
When she got home, she called PayPal. They said, "Ma'am, I just want you to know there is no money in your account."
She then raced back to the post office.
It turns out the PayPal link she was sent was bogus. "Spoof some kind of communication with Lauren, making her believe that PayPal received payment from the buyer in Nigeria," said David Frederick, U.S. Postal Inspector.
Approach all online transactions with caution. If you are sent money orders or checks be sure they clear your bank before you turn over the item you're selling.
